PCB slaps Naseem with show-cause notice after ‘Queen at Lord’s’ tweet

Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah is facing disciplinary action after a since-deleted post on his X account appeared to mock Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s high-profile appearance at the Pakistan Super League’s opening game between Quetta Gladiators and Hyderabad Kingsmen on Friday.

Naseem’s account quote-tweeted a PCB media post on Friday, asking, “Why is she treated like the Queen at Lord’s?” -- an apparent dig at Nawaz, who arrived at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium with a multi-car security entourage and was seen meeting players from both sides.

The post was swiftly taken down, replaced by a claim that the account had been hacked.

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was unconvinced.

Within 24 hours, the PCB issued a show-cause notice accusing the Rawalpindi Pindiz pacer of violating his central contract and breaching media policy -- likely under clause 2.23 of its code of conduct, which bars public criticism of board officials, sponsors or policies.

Earlier, the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had announced that the PSL would proceed without spectators, citing Pakistan’s need to conserve fuel amid the fuel crisis owing to the ongoing war in Iran.

Naseem is due to play today when Pindiz face Peshawar Zalmi.